Care course helps unemployed find jobs

A course in health and social care aimed at getting long-term unemployed people back into work has been hailed an astounding success.

Four of the 11 students on the four-week course, arranged by Buckinghamshire County Council,have already been offered jobs.

A further four have been given work experience, while the remaining three decided they did not wish to work in the industry and have refocused their efforts to secure work.

The scheme was run in High Wycombe by Amersham & Wycombe College, at its new Inspire town centre site, on behalf of the County Council.

“This was the first time we have run such a course and we were astounded by its success,” said Bethany Starling, a Wellbeing officer for the Council.

“It was aimed at people on Jobseekers Allowance and the idea was that everyone on it was guaranteed an interview at the end of it with a care company, as well as a Level 1 qualification in health and social care.

“But four have already been given jobs, presumably as a result of what they did on the course.

“Meanwhile, the course had a 100 per cent pass rate and no one dropped out along the way which was fantastic.”

The students, aged from 19 to 62, attended four days a week and were given instruction in social care, health and safety and food hygiene.

The course was a collaboration between Amersham & Wycombe College, Job Centre Plus and Connexions; coordinated by BCC and funded by the Skills Funding Agency and the Council’s Wellbeing Programme fund.

Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health, said: “I am delighted to hear of the success of this pilot scheme and I understand we will be repeating this in the near future. I am pleased that our Council can play a part in getting people back into work.”

Anyone on Jobseekers Allowance wishing to go on a future course should speak to their Jobcentre to find out more.